2025 marks a significant milestone for DC, with James Gunn's Superman film set to kick off the new DCU in theaters, alongside a robust lineup of films and TV shows from DC Studios, and the Absolute Universe making waves in the comics world. Amidst this flurry of activity, one glaring omission stands out: the absence of Wonder Woman. Created by William Moulton Marston and H. G. Peter, Wonder Woman is not only one of the most recognizable superheroes but also a cornerstone of the DC universe. Yet, her presence in recent DC media has been surprisingly scarce.
Outside of the comics, Diana of Themyscira has faced numerous setbacks. Her live-action film series stumbled after the mixed reception of Wonder Woman 1984, and she's notably absent from the current DCU slate, which instead features a show about the Amazons. Additionally, Wonder Woman has never had her own animated series, and her first solo video game, announced in 2021, was cancelled. This raises the question: what is Warner Bros. doing with one of the most iconic female superheroes of all time? Let's delve into how Warner Bros. and DC are mishandling Wonder Woman.
One Hit Wonder
During the peak of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and DCEU rivalry in the late 2010s, the first Wonder Woman film emerged as a standout success for the DCEU. Released in 2017, it garnered largely positive reviews and grossed over $800 million worldwide. Following the divisive reception of Batman v Superman and Suicide Squad, Patty Jenkins' vision of Diana resonated with audiences in a way that previous DC films had not. While not flawless, with third act problems and Gal Gadot's performance focusing more on action than depth, the film's strong performance should have been the foundation for a thriving franchise.
However, the sequel, Wonder Woman 1984, released in 2020, fell short of expectations. It divided critics and failed to recoup its budget due to its simultaneous release on HBO Max and in theaters during the COVID-19 pandemic. The film's narrative issues, tonal inconsistencies, and controversial elements, such as Diana having sex with Steve Trevor in another man's body, further alienated audiences. Despite these setbacks, the lack of a third film, which was phased out of development, is disappointing, especially when characters like Batman and Spider-Man receive multiple reboots. The absence of Wonder Woman in other franchise media only exacerbates the issue.
Diana Prince, Missing in Action
With the new DCU launching a fresh slate of adaptations, one might expect Wonder Woman to be a priority. Yet, the Chapter One: Gods and Monsters lineup lacks a dedicated Wonder Woman project. Instead, DC Studios head James Gunn and Peter Safran have chosen to focus on lesser-known properties like Creature Commandos, Swamp Thing, Booster Gold, and The Authority, alongside new iterations of Superman, Batman, and Green Lantern. While there's merit in exploring obscure IPs, the absence of Wonder Woman is conspicuous.
DC Universe: Every Upcoming Movie and TV Show
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Instead of a Wonder Woman project, the DCU has announced Paradise Lost, a series about the Amazons of Themyscira set before Wonder Woman's birth. While exploring the Amazons' history is valuable, creating a show within the Wonder Woman franchise without Wonder Woman herself feels reminiscent of the Sony Marvel Universe. This raises questions about why DC Studios doesn't see Diana as the main attraction, especially when compared to the urgency to launch multiple Batman projects. The DC Animated Universe, despite featuring Wonder Woman prominently in Justice League and Justice League Unlimited, never gave her a solo series, unlike Batman and Superman. She's also been a regular in DC Universe animated films but has only starred in two: Wonder Woman in 2009 and Wonder Woman: Bloodlines in 2019. Given the popularity of superhero media, the lack of a dedicated Wonder Woman project is puzzling.
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Let Me Play as Wonder Woman, Dammit
The recent cancellation of the Wonder Woman game by Monolith Productions adds to the frustration. While it's unclear if the poor performance of other DC games like Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League and MultiVersus contributed to its demise, the loss of what would have been Diana's first leading role in a game feels like a missed opportunity. With the resurgence of character action games, a Wonder Woman game akin to God of War or Ninja Gaiden seems like a perfect fit. Although Diana has appeared in games like Injustice, Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe, and various LEGO DC titles, the absence of a AAA action game starring her is glaring. The lack of follow-up to the success of Rocksteady's Batman Arkham series with games featuring Wonder Woman, Superman, and the Justice League is a missed opportunity. It's particularly galling that Diana's first appearance in the Arkham timeline in Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League results in her being killed off as a non-playable character, while the male members of the Justice League survive as evil clones.
The mishandling of Wonder Woman across films, cartoons, and video games reflects a lack of respect for one of DC's most iconic characters. If Warner Bros. and DC show such disregard for a key member of their Trinity, it raises concerns about their treatment of the broader DC roster. As James Gunn's Superman reboot aims to revitalize the DCU, it's crucial that Warner Bros. recognizes the value Diana Prince brings to their franchise. After nearly a century, Wonder Woman and her fans deserve better.
